Top Things to do in Iowa
Top Hotels in Iowa
- 1. Des Lux Hotel
- 2. Stoney Creek Hotel
- 3. Hampton Inn West Des Moines Lake Drive
- 4. Drury Inn & Suites West Des Moines
- 5. Drury Inn & Suites Iowa City Coralville
- 6. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Cedar Falls, IA
- 7. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Ames, IA
- 8. Hotel Julien Dubuque
- 9. Cobblestone Inn & Suites - Forest City
- 10. Hotel Renovo
The 10 Best Art Museums in Iowa, United States
History and monuments dot this landscape almost as often as the golden farmlands. Learn about America’s 31st president at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch. In northeast Iowa is the Effigy Mounds National Monument, a group of prehistoric American Indian burial and ceremonial mounds. This part of Iowa is also home to the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage. The 37-county region tells the story of American agriculture, agribusiness and farm life and is affiliated with the National Park Service. In addition, there are five national wildlife refuges here. If you love history, imagine seeing the Amana Colonies, consisting of seven historic villages in 1855 by German immigrants as a religious communal society. Here you can also buy antiques, hand-woven baskets, furniture and clocks and locally made wine and beer. In Ames, take the family to see the Christian Petersen Art Museum, a newer structure that exhibits works of art by Christian Petersen and contemporary artists. You won’t want to miss the state capital of Des Moines, home to Blank Park Zoo with its naturalistic exhibits and more than 800 animals from five continents. You also should enjoy the Brenton Skating Plaza, an outdoor family entertainment venue.
Restaurants in Iowa
1. Muscatine Art Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
Once the private home of a lumber heiress, the Musser Museum features many distinctive architectural details of the Edwardian period. The adjoining Stanley Gallery hosts national, traveling art exhibitions. Funded in part by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Muscatine Art Center is one of only 802 museums nationwide accredited by the American Association of Museums. This honor signifies that the Art Center has undergone a rigorous and lengthy process involving intensive self-examination, peer review and a thorough examination by the Accreditation Commission. Accreditation by the AAM means the Muscatine Art Center is recognized for demonstrating excellence and operating in accordance with the best practices and highest standards in the field.
Reviewed By TravelingAnts - Baltimore, United States
Many do not know the deep artistic history in Iowa with roots in Muscatine, but the Art Center will bring you up to speed with a wonderful long-standing permanent collection and rotating temporary exhibits of local (and not so-local) artists, often containing pieces for sale. Go there and leave with a treasure, or two!
2. Clarinda Carnegie Art Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
3. Hearst Center for the Arts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
4. Salisbury House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
The King's House in Salisbury, England, was the inspiration for this Tudor mansion.
Reviewed By Rbb599 - Camp Verde, United States
I was so excited to go back as an adult. I went on a field trip there as a kid and loved it. I do love houses with a history. This one is interesting from the different periods of architecture to the story behind the vision. Once you enter and pay ($10 you can roam where you wish. I think for an hour and 15 min. Don’t miss the informational video playing in what was the kitchen. The the grounds must beautiful in the summer, I went in March. You can also roam outside too. Groups are limited in sizes and there were about 4 or so time slots each day open. I called and reserved my spot.
5. Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
With more than 2,000 years of art on display in the heart of Downtown Cedar Rapids, the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art has something to offer everyone!
Reviewed By E9526GFterrys
Having grown up in this area and knowing the history of some of our most notable artisit we are so fortunate to use our art collection to both share and view anytime. The CRMA brings in on loan some of the best art any city our size could ever imagine. Beautiful building with easy casual viewing. Very proud of this site.
6. Des Moines Art Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 294 reviews
This internationally acclaimed museum houses impressive works by artists of the 19th and 20th centuries, including Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keefe and Henri Matisse. The center, which also offers art classes, consists of three buildings, each designed by a celebrated architect: Eliel Saarinen, I.M. Pei and Richard Meier.
Reviewed By L3097CZcarolb
If you like contemporary art, this museum is for you. A smallish, but very well curated collection and several special exhibits made this a highlight of our recent trip. The friendly staff was knowledgeable and contributed to our understanding of one of the special exhibits. Also, the building itself (really three buildings) was interesting, and there is a lovely garden on the grounds. A little out of the way, but worth it!
7. Figge Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 306 reviews
Reviewed By JMK-Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, United States
Our family and I spent a little over an hour here and were very impressed. They had a wide variety of art including a Grant Wood exhibit that was well done, and a Frank Lloyd Wright exhibit that was very interesting. We liked most everything except a photography exhibit on the 4th floor that we found pretty dull. If you’re in the Quad Cities area you should make a point to visit. Recommended.
8. Charles City Arts Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
9. Museum of Religious Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
10. Charles H. MacNider Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
The Charles H. MacNider Museum is a non-profit, municipally owned institution conceived in 1964 and opened by 1966 in Mason City, Iowa. Everything the Museum does is educational or aesthetic in nature centering around working with objects of art. The museum exhibits and interprets a permanent collection of American art; temporary exhibitions of art; provides art classes for all ages; offers enriching arts programs; and maintains an art library.
Reviewed By LoriH611 - Springfield, United States
Thoroughly enjoyed our visit here during a couple days exploring the Mason City/Clear Lake area. The museum has a very nice variety of collections displayed in a thoughtful and yet not too serious manner. Highlight for us was the extensive marionette collection, most donated by famous puppeteer Bill Baird, who was from Mason City. As a huge Sound of Music fan I was absolutely thrilled to see some of the marionettes from the movie’s famous lonely goatherd puppet show!
